Bears DST does better against Lions

by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer

(12/21/14) After surrendering 34 points on 474 yards to the Lions in Week 13, the Bears stepped up their defensive game Week 16 against Detroit, allowing 20 points on 367 yards. They had four sacks and three takeaways (two interceptions and one fumble recovery), their most of either since Week 12 against Tampa Bay.

Though it was a big improvement for the Bears DST, the fact it had allowed an average of 35.3 points on 438.0 yards in its previous three games shows it's not a reliable unit in Fantasy. Granted, none of those was a particularly favorable matchup, but the way rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has played recently, neither is Week 17 at Minnesota.

You can probably do better than the Bears DST in standard 12-team leagues.

Bears defense can't slow Drew Brees down

by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com

(12/16/14) The Bears defense failed to do much to slow the Saints down in Week 15, in a 31-15 loss.

The Saints racked up 443 yards of total offense in the game, including 360 through the air, while giving up three touchdowns to Drew Brees. The Bears sacked Brees twice, and forced one turnover in the game, but finished the game with just 4 Fantasy points as a unit.

The Bears DST has had some decent showings this season, but have really struggled of late, scoring just 9 combined Fantasy points over their last three. They had just 4 in Week 13 against the Lions, who they play again in Week 16, so steer clear.

Bears LB Lance Briggs lands on season-ending IR list

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(11/28/14) Bears linebacker Lance Briggs may have played his last game in Chicago.

His season ends with one interception and one forced fumble, along with 35 combined tackles in eight games played. The 34-year-old will become a free agent at the end of the season.

Bears defense holds up well vs. Vikings

by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com

(11/17/14) The Bears defense bounced back from a thrashing at the hands of the Packers last week, with a solid performance against the Vikings in Week 11.

The Bears allowed an offensive touchdown early in the game, but shut the Vikings down from that point on. They held the Vikings to just 243 yards of total offense overall, while forcing one turnover and sacking quarterback Teddy Bridgewater twice.

The Bears DST unit had gone four weeks since recording a double-digit Fantasy game prior to Sunday's 14-point effort against the Vikings. They will look to keep the good times going in Week 12 against the Buccaneers.

There's reason to believe in a rebound for the Bears DST following their disappointing 2013 campaign. Injuries really crushed the run defense and a weak defensive backfield made the pass defense equally problematic. But the Bears made some outstanding additions this offseason, bringing in Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young to punch up the pass rush. Charles Tillman re-signed following a triceps injury, Kyle Fuller was drafted to slot in at nickelback and Ryan Mundy will provide at least some depth at safety. We tend to follow the DSTs that can pick up a lot of sacks and the Bears should greatly improve on the 31 sacks they had a season ago. The departure of kick returner Devin Hester is a bummer but overall the unit has some appeal and might fall through the cracks on Draft Day. We like the Bears potential and consider them a good final-round selection, even if only to use in Weeks 1 and 3 against the Bills and Jets.
(Updated 4/30/14)